Ma’amoul Cookies With “Lebanese Baking” Author Maureen Abood

Today’s guest is Maureen Abood. Maureen is a chef, recipe developer, and cookbook author. This fall, she released her second book, “Lebanese Baking: More Than 100 Recipes for Sweet and Savory Baked Goods.” It’s a beautiful celebration of the breads, pastries, and sweets of Lebanon.Maureen joins host Jessie Sheehan to share her childhood memories of baking bread with her grandmother and how the special occasion cakes her mother made inspired her love of baking. She and Jessie talk about how her new book grew from a single chapter in her first cookbook, “Rose Water & Orange Blossoms,” into a full collection filled with stories and soul. The duo also walk through Maureen’s recipe for Ma’amoul, the date-filled shortbread-like cookies that are a staple at Lebanese celebrations.Click here for Maureen’s Ma’amoul recipe.Thank you to Diamond Nuts & California Prunes for their support. Subscribe or pre-order The Cake IssueJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Maureen: Instagram, website, “Lebanese Baking” cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Dorie Greenspan is back on the pod! Dorie is a beloved baker and bestselling cookbook author, who just released her 15th (!) cookbook. She joins host Jessie Sheehan to chat about “Dorie’s Anytime Cakes”—a collection of more than 100 irresistible “counter cakes,” the kind that sit on your counter and call you back for just one more slice.Dorie also shares what inspired her to fill this book with charming illustrations instead of traditional photography and takes Jessie behind the scenes of her creative process. The two talk about the desserts Dorie ate growing up in Brooklyn, the weekly brown paper bags of baked goods her grandmother brought over, and how her past recipes for The New York Times helped her develop the ones in her new book. And, of course, Dorie walks Jessie through her Devil’s Chocolate Cake. (Don’t miss her surprising tip involving a hair dryer!)Click here for Dorie’s Devil’s Chocolate Cake recipe.Thank you to Diamond Nuts & California Prunes for their support. Subscribe or pre-order The Cake IssueJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Dorie: Instagram, “Dorie’s Anytime Cakes” cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

We’re kicking off a special miniseries today called She’s My Apple Pie, presented in partnership with Yes! Apples, where host Jessie Sheehan hangs out with some of the sweetest bakers around to talk signature bakes, fall baking, and seasonal treats. In this episode, Jessie is joined by Melissa Elsen, founder of Four & Twenty Blackbirds, the beloved Brooklyn pie shop known for its flavor-packed creations and impeccable crusts. She’s also the co-author of “The Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book.”Melissa shares stories about her South Dakota childhood, including memories of baking with her grandmother, why she wanted to open a pie shop in New York City, and tips and tricks for pie-making success at home. She also guides Jessie through her New York Orchard Apple Pie, a special seasonal pie that’s available at the bakery now through the end of October.Click here for Melissa’s New York Orchard Apple Pie recipe.Thank you to Yes! Apples for supporting our show. Click here for Four & Twenty Blackbirds x Yes! Apples NY Orchard Pie BoxJubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Melissa: Four & Twenty Blackbirds, website, “The Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book”More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Aran Goyoaga is back on the pod! Aran is a celebrated baker, stylist, photographer, and one of the leading experts in gluten-free baking. You probably know her from her blog, Cannelle et Vanille, her bestselling cookbooks, and her beautiful, light-filled photography. She joins host Jessie Sheehan to chat about her brand new book, “The Art of Gluten-Free Bread: Groundbreaking Recipes for Artisanal Breads and Pastries.”Aran shares about her childhood growing up in the Basque region in Spain and her grandparents’ bakery, the beloved brioche buns filled with cream that sparked her love of baking, and her introduction to breadmaking in culinary school. The duo also dive into the challenges of developing gluten-free breads versus pastries, and Aran walks Jessie through her Gluten-Free Rosemary Focaccia recipe from her new book. Click here for Aran’s Gluten-Free Rosemary Focaccia recipe.Thank you to Diamond Nuts & California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here!Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets hereVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Aran: Instagram, website, “The Art of Gluten-Free Bread” cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Beloved baker David Lebovitz is back on the pod! David is a pastry chef, cookbook author, and one of the OG food bloggers whose recipes and tales of Parisian life have inspired home bakers around the world. The newly revised edition of his bestselling book, “Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes,” features more than 170 irresistible cakes, cookies, and pastries recipes, and he joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about it. David also shares about the first chocolate soufflé he ever baked (in his mom’s Pyrex measuring cup), and he weighs in on the age-old debate of lemon versus chocolate dessert people. David also walks Jessie through his playful PB&J spin on a classic Linzertorte.Click here for David’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Linzertorte recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here!Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on David: Instagram, newsletter, website, "Ready For Dessert" cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Aleksandra Crapanzano—journalist, cookbook author, and screenwriter. Aleksandra grew up between New York and Paris, experiences that shaped her lifelong love of French food. She’s the author of several books, including her forthcoming, “Chocolat: Parisian Desserts and Other Delights.”Aleksandra joins host Jessie Sheehan to share memories of her Parisian childhood (and the beloved crêperie she and her dog frequented after school), her serendipitous path into food writing, and what sets French and American home baking apart (such as using sugar as a seasoning to the rare use of vanilla). Plus, the duo walk through the Chocolate Madeleines recipe from her new book.Click here for Aleksandra’s Chocolate Madeleines recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here!Join the Jubilee L.A. waitlist hereVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Aleksandra: Instagram, website, “Chocolat” cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Beloved baker and blogger Sally McKenney of Sally’s Baking Addiction is back on the pod! Since launching her site over a decade ago, Sally has become one of the most trusted voices in home baking, with over 1,200 recipes, step-by-step tutorials, and expert tips that help bakers of all levels succeed in the kitchen. She’s also the author of four cookbooks, including her newest, “Sally’s Baking 101: Foolproof Recipes From Easy to Advanced.”Sally joins host Jessie Sheehan to share the secrets behind her Classic Cheesecake recipe from the new book and offers some of her best pro tips, from shaping the perfect chocolate chip cookie to achieving those irresistible crinkly-topped brownies. Click here for Sally’s Classic Cheesecake recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here!Join the Jubilee L.A. waitlist hereVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Sally: Instagram, website, “Sally’s Baking 101” cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Kelly Mencin, the culinary director and co-owner of Radio Bakery, one of New York City’s buzziest places. The Cleveland native is a veteran of Bouchon Bakery, Gramercy Tavern, and Rolo’s, and she opened the Brooklyn bakery with the Rolo’s team in 2023. It quickly drew lines down the block for its savory croissants and other laminated baked goods. Kelly joins host Jessie Sheehan to discuss her journey from culinary school to fine dining to bakery success. She talks about her love for dessert, the fine line between nostalgia and innovation, and what it’s like to go viral on social media. Plus, Kelly walks us through her Cheesy Pretzel Bearclaw—a laminated dough filled with a grainy mustard béchamel and cheddar cheese that’s dipped in a lye solution to be “pretzelized” before baking.Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here!Join the Jubilee L.A. waitlist hereVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Kelly: Instagram, Radio BakeryMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Anne Byrn, a trusted voice in American and Southern baking. Best known for her bestselling “Cake Mix Doctor” cookbook series, Anne’s career spans from her early days working at the school newspaper to studying at La Varenne Culinary School in Paris to becoming an accomplished journalist and bestselling author. Her latest book, “Baking in the American South,” weaves together 200 recipes with the cultural history that shaped them. Anne joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her path as a writer and baker, the time Julia Child cooked for her (hint: it was a roast chicken), and the evolution of the cake she’s been perfecting for more than three decades—coconut cake.Click here for Anne’s Coconut Cake recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here!Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale nowVisit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Anne: Instagram, website, “Baking in the American South” cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Erika Council, biscuit-maker extraordinaire and owner of Bomb Biscuit Co. in Atlanta. Erika’s fluffy, buttery biscuits have earned her fans far and wide, and she’s also the author of the cookbook “Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit with over 70 Sweet and Savory Recipes,” which is a tribute to her family’s deep roots in the South and her culinary heritage.Erika joins host Jessie Sheehan to discuss her journey from pop-up baker to brick-and-mortar success, the influence of her two grandmothers, and how bacon grease can be the mark of a true Southern cook. Erika also walks Jessie through The Bomb Buttermilk Biscuit recipe from her book.Click here for Erika’s Bomb Buttermilk Biscuit recipe.Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now!Subscribe here to get The Italy Issue, out this September.Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events.More on Erika: Instagram, Bomb Biscuit Co., “Still We Rise” cookbookMore on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook